Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways

NYC Parks Joins The National Park Service In Announcing New Bicycle And Kayak Rental Concession For Jamaica

The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation joins the National Park Service (NPS) to announce that Wheel Fun Rentals will be awarded a license agreement for bicycling and boating rental concessions in the Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Parks region. The award is a result of the Requests for Proposals (“RFP”) issued in March 2013 to provide high-quality recreational amenities to visitors. Wheel Fun Rentals will be issued a one-year license agreement with an option for three one-year renewals.

Wheel Fun Rentals will feature a variety of bicycles including cruisers, tandem, and 8 passenger Surrey pedal cars, and boats including kayaks, stand up paddle boards and canoes, that suit all age groups and ability levels. They will also be offering beach rentals like sand toys, umbrellas, beach chairs, and boogie boards. Operations commenced over the Memorial Day weekend at Jacob Riis Park, and will commence in the middle of June at Canarsie Pier, Riis Landing, and Marine Park.

“Millions of people visit the parks and beaches at Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways each summer and this concession provides a fun and new recreational amenity,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White. “We are pleased to welcome Wheel Fun Rentals as they offer opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors to bike and paddle, while enjoying the natural beauty of the Jamaica Bay region.”

“We are always looking for ways to connect our park to the community and to find new reasons for our neighbors to come to Jamaica Bay and enjoy a wonderful outdoor experience in their backyard.” said Linda Canzanelli, superintendent of Gateway National Recreation Area. “We feel that Wheel Fun will help provide another wonderful activity for our visitors.”

“We are excited to be working with NYC Parks and NPS to bring our unique brand of recreation and exploration to Jamaica Bay,” said Al Stonehouse, President of Wheel Fun Rentals. “We offer a fun way for locals and visitors alike to get outside and spend time together having fun. Our unique human powered products provide the perfect way to explore the sun, sand, and sea!”

Jamaica Bay is a wetland estuary surrounded by the Rockaway Peninsula to the South, Brooklyn to the West, and Queens to the East. The bay consists of numerous islands, a labyrinth of waterways, meadowlands, and two freshwater ponds. The wetlands provide a unique environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation.

On July 17, 2012, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signed an unprecedented agreement between the National Park Service and NYC Parks – spelling out ways the two agencies will cooperatively manage 10,000 acres of federal and city-owned parks in and around Jamaica Bay to promote visitation, education programs, scientific research and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The concession RFPs are a joint effort between NYC Parks and NPS to offer new amenities to the residents and visitors of the Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Parks region and to further connect residents to other educational and recreational opportunities taking shape under the cooperative management agreement.

Products offered through this new concession will vary by location. For a full list of products, prices, and hours of operation please visit www.WheelFunRentals.com.